Park, Organization Will Discuss New Contract

The on-again, off-again contract negotiations between pitcher Chan Ho Park and the Dodgers will resume during the season, Park’s agent said.

Park instructed his representative, Steve Kim, to end discussions about a multiyear extension with the Dodgers on April 25 because speculation surrounding the situation had adversely affected Park’s performance.

It has been widely believed that Kim and Dodger General Manager Kevin Malone, who oversees negotiations involving major contracts, would not talk again until after the season.

But Kim said he and Park, who is in the final year of his contract but won’t be eligible for free agency until after the 2001 season, remain hopeful the situation will be resolved during the season. Kim said negotiations had intensified by the time they were suspended and acknowledged for the first time contract figures have been exchanged.

“We were talking quite aggressively before the trip [that began April 26]. We had exchanged some numbers and we were getting close,” said Kim, who declined to indicate the terms being discussed. “But this whole thing obviously kind of got to his [Park’s] head.”

The Dodgers were counting on Park to have a strong start, but the right-hander has struggled, going 3-2 with a 4.91 earned-run average in seven outings. Park has given up nine home runs in only 40 1/3 innings, tying Ismael Valdes for the staff lead.

But Park made two quality starts while winning twice on the trip after negotiations were suspended.

“We didn’t want the season to get away from him,” Kim said. “I think Chan Ho is back on track, but we still need to give him some time.”

*

Third baseman Adrian Beltre, who turned 21 on April 7, is batting .336, leading the team’s everyday players. He also is second on the club, and among the National League leaders, with 10 doubles.

No Dodger that young has batted .300 since the team moved from Brooklyn in 1958.

In 1961, Ron Fairly batted .322 in 111 games while splitting time between first base and the outfield. Bill Buckner batted .319 in 105 games in ‘72, also playing first and the outfield. Both were 22.

Beltre isn’t focusing on personal accomplishments.

“I’m not even thinking about that stuff,” said Beltre, who has two homers and 15 runs batted in. “I don’t want to worry about it [his performance], I just want to keep trying to help the team win.”

ON DECK

* Opponent--St. Louis Cardinals, three games.

* Site--Busch Stadium.

* Tonight--5 PDT.

* TV--Fox Sports West 2 tonight, Channel 5 Saturday and Sunday.

* Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330).

* Records--Dodgers 19-15, Cardinals 17-16.

* Record vs. Cardinals--1-2.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’ KEVIN BROWN (3-2, 2.96 ERA)

vs.

CARDINALS’ JOSE JIMENEZ (2-3, 6.06 ERA)

* Update--The Dodgers rallied for a 3-2 victory Wednesday over the Chicago Cubs that evened their record at 3-3 on the homestand. Of course, they lost two of three to the lowly Florida Marlins and didn’t impress against the mediocre Cubs, so the parade is on hold for now. Despite their up-and-down play, the Dodgers trail NL West-leading San Francisco by only 1 1/2 games. The Dodgers face the Cardinals in a three-game weekend series before a six-game homestand against the Houston Astros and Cardinals. The Dodgers hope this series marks the beginning of a strong run for them. Brown has performed well, making five quality starts in his first seven as a Dodger. Brown also is among the NL leaders in several categories, including innings pitched, ERA and strikeouts. St. Louis trails Central-leading Houston by four games. Jimenez defeated the Dodgers, 12-5, April 23, working seven strong innings.

* Saturday, 5 p.m.--Chan Ho Park (3-2, 4.91) vs. Manny Aybar (2-1, 5.40).

* Sunday, 11 a.m.--Ismael Valdes (4-1, 3.21) vs. Kent Bottenfield (5-1, 2.59).